Keir Starmer Presents ‘Plan for Change’ with Six Key Milestones

Sir Keir Starmer has introduced his “plan for change,” outlining six “milestones” against which he intends the electorate to evaluate his government at the upcoming general election. The following are six principal points derived from the Prime Minister’s address and the subsequent question-and-answer session. All these milestones are scheduled for completion by the next general election, anticipated in 2029, with the clean power target specifically aiming to be “on track” for its 2030 deadline. The objectives concerning housebuilding, NHS waiting lists, and school-readiness are applicable solely to England. The goal of recruiting more police pertains to England and Wales, while clean power and increasing household income are targets for the entire UK. These are the specified milestones. To clarify Sir Keir’s governmental aspirations, the six “milestones” presented today are intended as criteria for voters to assess the government by 2029, the likely year of the next election. These milestones succeed the six “first steps” he introduced in May, shortly before the general election was called. Furthermore, these six milestones serve as metrics for the five missions he established in February 2023. These missions, such as “building an NHS fit for the future,” are designed to be the core purpose driving the government, with civil servants instructed to prioritize them. According to Sir Keir, this entire framework is built upon three foundational principles: economic stability, secure borders, and national security. The Prime Minister stated that being “on track” for 95% clean power by 2030 constitutes one of his milestones. However, both prior to and during the election, Labour consistently referred to “zero carbon electricity by 2030,” a commitment detailed in the party’s manifesto. Sir Keir refuted claims of retracting the 100% zero-carbon goal, informing reporters that the “clean energy pledge is today exactly what it was in the election” and that “there was always going to be a mix [of energy sources]”. The 95% clean power figure aligns with recommendations from the National Energy Systems Operator (NESO). NESO recently defined a clean power system as one where demand is met predominantly by “mainly renewables, with gas-fired generation used rarely to ensure security of supply,” specifying that gas should “provide less than 5% of Great Britain’s generation in a typical weather year.” Two years ago, Sir Keir also acknowledged the potential necessity of fossil fuels as a “fall back.” Therefore, while the 95% clean power target appears consistent with previous official advice and past concessions, it marks the first instance of the Prime Minister using this specific figure. A notable aspect of the Prime Minister’s speech was its significant focus on reforming the civil service. He asserted that too many individuals in Whitehall were “comfortable in the tepid bath of managed decline.” Amid considerable frustration within his administration regarding its capacity to implement change, the Prime Minister declared that “mission-led government” encompassed not only the delivery of improved public services but also a transformation of the government’s fundamental nature. He affirmed he would offer no apologies for addressing this issue, stating: “Make no mistake, this plan will land on desks across Whitehall with the heavy thud of the gauntlet being laid down.” Immigration was absent from the Prime Minister’s stated milestones, a point on which reporters repeatedly questioned him. He indicated that both legal and illegal migration would be reduced through “a serious plan,” which includes measures “to smash the gangs that are running the vile [small boats] trade.” Nevertheless, he explained that migration was not listed as a milestone because its reduction is considered one of the “foundational things that a government must do.” When asked why he was not providing the public with a quantifiable target for performance on this issue, he responded that he would not impose an “arbitrary number” on it. Labour has maintained its commitment for the UK to achieve the highest sustained growth in the G7, despite prior speculation that this objective was being discreetly abandoned. However, Sir Keir now seeks to articulate this goal in a manner he believes will resonate with the average voter. He considers the primary test at the next election to be whether voters perceive themselves as being better off. The metric for this assessment will be “real household disposable income” (RHDI). Yet, he has not specified a target for its increase, leading some to suggest this renders the measure insubstantial. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility has already projected that RHDI will increase by an average of 0.5% per year during this Parliament, amounting to 3.5% overall. Sir Keir avoided direct answers to reporters’ inquiries, maintaining that living standards had declined under the Conservative government and that individuals inherently recognize when their financial situation improves. He cited the July general election as evidence, stating that people across the country had conveyed to him on their doorsteps that they felt worse off. Conversely, during the Conservative administration from 2019-2024, real household disposable income did technically see an average increase of 0.3%.